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Sales tax holidays for back-to-school, energy and water savings

Special to the Courier

POSTED:May 30, 2008 5:00 a.m.

ATLANTA -- Gov. Sonny Perdue Wednesday signed HB 948, the sales and use tax bill, which continues the annual "back to school" sales tax holiday, as well as the annual energy efficient products sales tax holiday.This year, with the signing of SB 342, water efficient products with the WaterSense designation will also be eligible for the energy efficient products sales tax holiday."Sales tax holidays continue to provide Georgians with much needed relief when purchasing everyday household items, back to school supplies and, this year, water efficient products," Perdue said. "Past experience shows that retail stores will also benefit from an increase in sales, helping local economies to prosper."During the annual "back to school" tax holiday, Georgians will have the opportunity to buy certain clothing items, computers and computer accessories tax-free. The tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. July 31 and continues until midnight Aug. 3."This legislation offers Georgians the opportunity to save needed dollars on items ranging from school supplies to energy efficient products," Rep. Lynn Smith said. "I am pleased that we can continue this tradition."Georgia's fourth annual Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 2 and continues until midnight on Oct. 5. During this period, products with the Energy Star designation will be exempt from the state sales and use tax. WaterSense products will be eligible for the tax-free sales during this period. WaterSense will help consumers identify water-efficient products and programs. The WaterSense label will indicate that products and programs meet water efficiency and performance criteria. For more information on WaterSense, visit http://www.epa.gov/watersense.The sales tax exemption does not apply to purchases made for resale, purchases by businesses, items leased or rented, or items sold at sports facilities, theme parks, restaurants, public lodging establishments and airports.For more information on this legislation, visit www.legis.state.ga.us.